Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Riverside Avenue Site
Newark, NJ - EPA Region II
POLREP #16

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Riverside Avenue Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II

Subject:

POLREP #16
Riverside Avenue Site
02PC
Newark, NJ
Latitude: 40.7670135 Longitude: -74.1593681

To:

Benjamin Tuxhorn, USCG-AST
Andrew Raddant, Department of Interior
Dave Sweeney, NJDEP
David Isabel, Golub & Isabel
Danielle Torok, City of Newark
Fred Mumford, NJDEP

From:

Eric M. Daly, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

7/19/2012

Reporting Period:

05/05/12 thru 07/19/12

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	02PC	Contract Number:	EP-S2-10-01
D.O. Number:	0038	Action Memo Date:	8/23/2011
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	10/17/2011	Start Date:	10/17/2011
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	NJSFN0204232	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical CERCLA Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description

The Riverside Avenue Site is an abandoned industrial facility on the banks of the Passic River. Since the early 1900s the Site had been used for many businesses, including a paint manufacturer, a packaging company, and a chemical warehouse. It consists of two abandoned buildings on approximately two acres. The property is owned by the City of Newark and was acquired in tax foreclosure proceedings.

1.1.2.1 Location

29 Riverside Avenue, Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, between the Passaic River and Mcarter Highway.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Ten abandoned 12,000-15,000 gallon USTs containing hazardous wastes have been identified on the property. Approximately 100 3,000 -10,000 gallon ASTs have been identified in the buildings, many of which have been sampled for hazardous materials. Two tanks containing an oily wastes have been identified in the basement of one of the buildings. A number of 55-gallon drums and smaller containers have been observed in the buildings.
In addition, there are a number of sumps that may contain hazardous substances.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The preliminary assessment was completed in 2010. Two basement tanks in one building and the sumps of the other building have been sampled for hazardous waste characterization. See Documents Section for results of the site assessment sampling/analytical.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

See Profile section.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
CERCLA funding limitations:Due to limited CERCLA funds available for this fiscal year budget, EPA management instructed OSC Daly on 03/22/12 to prioritize activities, identify/dispose of material ready for off-site shipment, and plan to demobilize ERRS/removal resources utilizing the remaining funding available under the existing Action Memo. All identified waste to be disposed was shipped off on 05/11/12. This was the last day EPA/EPA Contractors were on Site for this phase of the removal. An Action Memo requesting increased funding is being reviewed/revised by OSC/Management for an anticipated return to the site at the beginning of the new fiscal year. The hazardous waste sludge contained in Building #7 Basement as well as the eight remaining Underground Storage Tanks will be addressed in the next phase of the removal action. Demobilization:OSC Daly contacted all City of Newark Officials (OEM, Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Housing, Brick City Development Corp.) and NJDEP and a site walk thru was held on 05/03/12. OSC explained what was accomplished during the removal action and what hazards would be secured and left in place. Decontamination of equipment and demobilization of equipment/trailer/ERRS Personnel (except one ERRS to facilitate dumpster pickup) was completed by 05/09/11. EPA subcontracted armed guard services were discontinued once EPA demobilized the site. This was pointed out to the City of Newark during the 05/03/12 walk thru as well as the fact that city owned scrap metal (From two UST removed) was staged at the site and should be addressed prior to EPA demobilization. Along with City of Newark responsibility in overseeing the security of the property, OSC Daly will conduct periodic site visits throughout the down time. Any responses to the site will be funded with remaining funds under the existing action memo. Responses:OSC Daly received a trespasser notification from a neighboring business owner on 06/08/12. EPA ERRS visited the site on 06/09/12 and found the door open that leads to the old high voltage room in Building #7. This door does not lead into the building and was secured by wedging it shut. The whole site was investigated during this response and there were no breaches or open doors identified in either building. However, a section of the fence surrounding the property that was cut open for illegal access in the past was once again reopened. Trash/old furniture is starting to accumulate on the property. Also, some of the steel that was staged from the Underground Storage Tanks has been removed from the site. OSC Daly has contacted the City of Newark throughout this process and at this time, it is unclear if the scrap has been removed by the city or has been taken illegally. On 06/27/12, OSC Daly was contacted and informed that the UST scrap metal was being removed from the property. OSC Daly instructed the business owner to contact Newark Police Department. Pictures were taken of the truck removing the scrap but the police did not arrive in time to question the truck driver. The site contacts for the City of Newark were informed of this event.

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section